E3 2010: 'Shank' Impresses with Old-School 2D Gameplay

Klei Entertainment wasn't technically on the E3 show floor this year; instead, the company held private screenings above EA's expansive display area in partner booths. But it had one of the more impressive indie games of the show: "Shank".

Klei Entertainment wasn't technically on the E3 show floor this year; instead, the company held private screenings above EA's expansive display area in partner booths. But it had one of the more impressive indie games of the show: Shank.

The 2D side-scroller is a throwback to beat 'em up games of the past (such as "Streets of Rage 2"), but with modern sensibilities. Besides slicing and dicing baddies with your blade (the default weapon), you have access to a shotgun, chainsaw, grenades, and numerous weapon combos that seamlessly flow as you mow down villains. Melee combat also includes grappling, and pouncing upon downed enemies to continue the assault.

Shank looks very much like a comic book come to life: The colors are bright and vibrant, and the all the characters, from the lowest level knife-fodder to the protagonist himself, are lovingly animated. It truly is a testament to what can be accomplished with 2D design and animation.

This downloadable XBLA, PSN, and PC title is slated to arrive late summer.

About the Author

For more than a decade, Jeffrey L. Wilson has penned gadget- and video game-related nerd-copy for a variety of publications, including 1UP, 2D-X, The Cask, Laptop, LifeStyler, Parenting, Sync, Wise Bread, and WWE. He now brings his knowledge and skillset to PCMag as Senior Analyst.
When he isn't staring at a monitor (or two) and churning out Web... See Full Bio

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